Design/durability: Stellar build quality is one of the highlights of the Rockets. Pretty much every feature of it seems indestructible. The L-shaped jack seems very sturdy and has enough strain relief. The cable is made of a fancy 'military-grade' material called kevlar and seems like it could withstand rough conditions, and the same can be said for the unibody titanium earpieces. They're tiny and seem crazy well engineered. The overall finish of the product is a very good balance between premium and rugged feel. One of the downsides of the Rockets' design are microphonics: they're above average, and can be bothersome, especially when worn straight down. The other issue I should point out is vacuum seal that I will develop further down below. Other than that, they are pretty flawless. 
 
Fit/comfort: The Rockets' overall comfort is pretty good. They're tiny, have a very adaptable form factor and don't require deep insertion... nothing to report? Not exactly: there seems to be a serious 'vacuum seal' effect with these. Most silicon tips will end up either not fitting well (too small) or fitting tight, or even too tight (resulting in vacuum), no matter what brand I use: stock Aurisonics, Sennheiser, Ultimate Ears, Bowers&Wilkins, etc. I have to constantly adjust/readjust the position of the earpiece if I want to avoid one earphone sounding more muffled/quieter than the other one, which is definitely a bummer since it can take me a lot of time to find the right fit/position. Comply foams ruined the treble, so I didn't bother any longer with them. I'll continue to search for a better tip, but so far I've got no luck. That's not an issue I got with my ER-4 for instance. Otherwise impeccable comfort.
 
Isolation: very good. Below the deep insertion range of Etymotic products, but above many other conventional in-ears. Good for everyday use.
 
Sound: Impressive. Aurisonics hit the sweet spot tuning their new toy. The sound signature of the Rockets is very close to neutral, yet it retains a very surprising smoothness where some reference IEM can start sounding a bit aggressive. Starting with the bass: it's tight, fast, and has good texture. Just the right amount of it, with impact and character. Now the mids are real the star of the Rockets (pun intended): they're very, very well defined with astonishing clarity, they are full sounding and enveloping. I actually play the saxophone and I know when the timbre of my instrument sounds right. The Rockets just get it right where many other phones fail. Vocals sound natural too, should it be female or male. When it comes to the treble, the Rockets don't disappoint. They do have a nice amount of shimmer without any aggressiveness, providing a good sense of air. It's not overdone and very refined, with excellent extension, definition and energy, miles ahead of most IEMs, with the exception of the ER-4 maybe. I find them to have the right amount of presence, again, excellent balance here, the presentation of the music is quite organic and realistic.
Soundstage is very good considering the size of the IEM, with good layering, width/depth. Instrument separation is great with clear distinction between all saxophones in a quartet (for instance), even orchestral works sound just fine with Rockets. They are very capable and suit all genres of music, and prove to be very musical despite being close to flat sounding.
 
Bottom line: Apart from the various fit issues, I definitely recommend the Rockets as a very versatile IEM with excellent value for money, astounding sound and stellar build quality.
 
 
 

Design/durability: Excellent build quality as per always on behalf of Shure. The cable feels nice and thick, with a lot of strain relief, and is detachable which is a great feature in this price range. A good thing is that the MMCX connector feels rugged enough to withstand moderate use, unlike with some other brands. The earpiece is made of thick plastic, and the latter feels and looks sturdy. Overall a very good design and beyond expectation at that price.
 
Fit/comfort: Average. I am not fond of Shure's memory wire, as it tends to be pretty stiff and could hurt the ear. other than that, the earpiece is quite ergonomic (but could be bulky for smaller ears, not my case). The cable is also heavy, better use a shirt clip, especially for portable use.
 
Isolation: Very effective as expected. Low microphonics.
 
Sound: Having owned both the SE425 and SE535 (which I both returned) I didn't expect their little brother to actually sound that good. The sound signature of the SE215 is highly colored, but not unpleasantly so. It has full sounding bass, with good texture, but not the best pace/control, as expected with a dynamic driver. As a result, the low frequencies can sound a little boomy from time to time. Mids are typical of Shure: slightly forward, smooth with good definition. Excellent with vocals, saxophones, guitars,.. very silky and coherent overall. However the higher mids do sound a bit metallic and aggressive to my ears. Treble is alright. I didn't find them to be as annoyingly recessed and toned down as on the SE425/535, but this part of the spectrum clearly isn't Shure's biggest asset. It still seems to be lacking definition and presence. Detail retrieval isn't great, they do have a certain veil and can sound too compressed on certain complex tracks. Soundstage is better than most $100 competitors. It is fairly wide but has no 3D feel to it. Instrument separation is good.
 
Overall the SE215 have a quite enjoyable sound for most genres, especially jazz, acoustic, pop. They are very forgiving and do sound good should you listen to a 128kbps MP3s or a FLAC file. Funny thing is that I prefer these over the more expensive members of the SE family, and this is no sound signature preference as I equally like the cold and analytical ER-4 and the warm and bassy IE80. To me the SE215 just sound more coherent, natural and musical than many of its bigger brothers.
 
Bottom line: One can safely say that the SE215 are a good bang for the buck (got them for 40EUR). I am not a fan of the Shure house sound, but these earphones prove to have a pleasant, laid back sound coupled with good build quality.
 
 
 

Design/durability: very good build quality as (almost) always on behalf of Sennheiser. The earpiece with its brushed metal faceplate is very good looking and has a sturdy 'unibody' feel to it. Finish is not plasticky and seems durable. The slightly thick cable feels good too, pretty stiff, doesn't tangle, microphonics are pretty low. The proprietary two-pin connector of the detachable cable feels very sturdy as opposed to most MMCX connectors used nowadays on the IEM market. And also, the bass dial is fairly unique and fun to play with. Update: the connector/pins are causing occasional channel imbalance. Not as reliable as I though it would be.
 
Fit/comfort: the IE 80 is a 'semi' in-ear that doesn't sit deep in the ear canal. Comfort is thus pretty good and slightly better than other conventional in-ears. These Senns can be worn around the ear (which I do) or straight down by simply switching the left and right earpieces. Very handy. Stock tips aren't great in terms of comfort though, I'd recommend that you find some others (I'm using B&W silicon tips).
 
Isolation: as expected, not a 100% in ear, thus definitely below average compared to competition. Maybe 16-20dB noise isolation with stock silicon tips, which is enough for daily commute, but nothing more. Westone, Shure, Etymotic designs all isolate way better, no surprise here. On par with my HD-25 with velour pads. I wouldn't use these on a plane. Isolation seekers, look elsewhere!
 
Sound: the IE 80 is one of these few 'audiophile' IEM that can impress the casual listener almost instantly. They sound fun, lively, and wide. 
 
The bass is the highlight of these earphones, they are big and beautiful. There is a very distinct hump in the mid bass, whether the bass knob is at its maximum or minimum. I usually set it on 1-2 which I think is appropriate for most genres. Bass impact is pretty good and punchy, however not as punchy as with armature designs, although the body of the bass is much better and natural sounding than on the latter. It is meaty and there's an impressive rumble. And the bass extends pretty low. I'd describe the IE 80's bass as a big piece of steak with tons of sauce: not very healthy but oh, so good from time to time.
 
Mids are definitely not the IE 80's main asset. They're smooth and refined but a tad recessed compared to the rest of the spectrum, and I found them to be slightly veiled on some complex tracks where vocals play an important role (some Hans Zimmer sound track and Enya songs). Fine but not great.
 
Highs can be sibilant at times depending on tips, but are overall very well extended and pretty smooth. There's no real sparkle, just a nice shimmer that is more than adequate on most tracks. The most demanding strings tracks were no difficulty for the IE 80.
 
Now the soundstage of these is really good for an in-ear design. It extends a few feet outside of your head and has a very airy and organic feel to it. Instrument separation is fine. I found the wide soundstage particularly convenient for orchestral works, it really makes them stand out. Resolution is great, but as expected it can be slightly inferior to some of the competition's balanced armature designs. Still, the level of detail is pretty astonishing. And last but not least, the big advantage of the dynamic driver here is that it sounds less 'mechanical' and cold than its BA counterparts. The result is a more organic and musical presentation of music, which is definitely pleasant.
 
Bottom line: I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth the IE 80 can sound. They're musical, warm and airy, comfortable, and perfect for casual listening. A good travel companion for my ER-4PT.
 
 
 
 

Design/durability: The earpiece seems very durable, although there are some light finish issues. The braided cable is one of the best in the industry: there are barely any microphonics, it feels robust but is light and supple at the same time. Now the issue occurs with the MMCX connectors and their connection to what is inside the housing: the female part of the MMCX connector rapidly becomes loose, causing the male part of the connector (the one on the cable) to move into the socket, and all these "movements" will eventually cause the red wire that links the connector to the drivers to move. There is also a small clicking sound at the connector. It seems that many people have been through these issues which also occur with the UM Pro 50, which is ultimately based on the same design as its little brother. Although I am not experiencing any disruption of the sound right now, I hope this issue won't get any bigger and lead to the death of some flimsy internal cable or driver. So far I don't think it will, but I can see why people don't consider MMCX technology as reliable enough for earphones.
 
Fit/comfort: The UM Pro 30 reaches the ultimate level of comfort for an IEM, in my opinion. The light and supple cable along with the very ergonomic earpiece are determining factors to achieve such a great feel, and Westone obviously did their research. They are also very easy to put on and off, despite being around the ear IEMs. Overall it is a practical and hassle free design that is easily forgettable when in your ears.
 
Isolation: Good. Definitely on par with competing IEM, but below my ER-4, as expected.
 
Sound: Smooth and warm. The UM Pro 30 is one of the few IEMs with balanced armatures which make you feel the bass. Sub bass goes quite low, and there's a nice and tight midbass hump that will make you want to move your feet at every beat. Such beautiful, meaty and juicy low frequencies. The huge bass driver on the side is definitely doing its job! 
 
Mids are very lush and present, with body. However it could be heard on some tracks that they lacked coherence, depending on the singer or the instrument played. The timbre of the piano, for instance, does not always sound right. On some rare occasions, vocals seemed like they had "blended" with other instruments (good file, good source), making the presentation sound congested. Other than that, the smooth mids are a bliss for the ears, they are enveloping and immersive, perfect with jazz music, acoustic, soul, blues, most vocals, etc.
 
The treble is non agressive, a bit recessed, but nothing shocking, even for an Etyhead like me. It has average extension and is not particularly airy, but it doesn't sound muffled either. However don't expect strings and orchestral works to shine, as I found the UM Pro to sound pretty bad with most classical/soundtrack, and most tracks that require very articulate and lively highs.
 
Soundstage is rather intimate, very up-front and "in your face", but imaging is top notch. Detailing is great, very little of the music is left unheard, except in the high frequencies due to the slight roll-off. Last but not least, speed is excellent, punchy tracks are very well rendered. Live rock songs never sounded that realistic.
 
Bottom line: Excellent, smooth sounding IEM, with addicting bass and lovely mids. However I expected a slightly better build quality. Apart from that, the UM Pro 30 is a very convincing product.
 
 
 

 

Design/durability: The P5 is a truly gorgeous headphone. The all leather/metal construction and the "timeless and vintage" make it a winner in the looks department. The construction and finish of the product is very convincing and feels absolutely premium. However the P5's durability is actually pretty far from its luxurious appearances. One of the channels going off is one of the recurrent problems these cans have. I have sent them back to B&W's customer service (which is excellent btw) several times already. And the cable feels very cheap.
 
Fit/comfort: Clamping force is quite strong, but the earpads feel very nice and the memory foam does wonders. Overall they are quite comfortable but start hurting the ears after a few hours wearing them.
 
Isolation: The P5 seals very well, and isolation is surprisingly good once the memory foam embraces the shape of the ears. Not the best, but definitely above average in this aspect.
 
Sound: Pleasant is how I would qualify the P5's sound. It has a warm signature, with forward mids and a slight midbass hump. The treble is definitely a tad recessed, but not shockingly so. The bass is slightly boomy and not really tight. The mids are well defined, rich sounding and delightful to the ears. The treble is smooth and not very detailed nor extended. Soundstage is intimate. Overall the P5 is a somewhat slow sounding headphone, with a very warm, forgiving sound and decent resolution that suits genres like jazz or chamber music. I also enjoyed watching movies with these. Pleasant but not mindblowing.
 
Bottom line: The P5 sounds decent, looks and feels nice. But beware of its durability.

Design/durability: The ER-4 have a robust feeling that reminds me of my old and faithful HD25. The earpiece is small and light, its housing is made of rugged plastic. The braided cable looks sturdy and is replaceable (with Westone cables for instance) with the use of an adapter. The stock cable is a bit heavy and a tad long for portable use. It is stiffer than most braided cables I've tried so far, and doesn't tangle much. Microphonics are low, considering that the ER-4 has to be worn down. Overall it has a very good and functional design, that can easily last a decade or so. And last but not least, there are plenty of accessories (adapters, foam/silicon tips, several travelling cases, cleaning tools, filters, etc.) included in the bundle. The package is very, very complete.
 
Fit/comfort: These little buddies sit deep inside the ear canal. Might be bothersome for some people. No discomfort for me though. I use Comply foams and small Shure olives most of the time, and they really fit the bill with excellent isolation, comfort and sound. They are like part of my ears now, though I can understand how some people might find their fit bothersome, especially with stock tips such as tri-flanges. Also keep in mind that these are not earbuds you can put in and out in instantly: fit needs time.
 
Isolation: Most effective passive isolation ever. Blocks out pretty much all the noise on transportation, including big and noisy jet planes. Considerably better than Shure/Westone type isolation, and miles ahead of the IE 80. The ER-4 leaves you with your music, just as if you were in another world (be cautious on the road though). 
 

 
Sound: Saying that the ER-4 sound impressive is an understatement. These are precision tools, with breathtaking clarity and accuracy. Every detail, no matter how tiny just flows into your ears, like by magic. The resolution is just that good. Imaging is very satisfying, making it is easy to distinguish each instrument, each voice, with accurate positioning. Soundstage is just alright for my tastes, it could be better though. It feels fairly wide, but not deep (very upfront) if it makes sense. Despite that, the whole presentation feels very airy. Speed is also excellent. Punchy and dynamic with quick response and superb pace.
 
The frequency response of the ER-4 is flat at best without implying a boring sound. Lows, mids and highs are all put at the same level. Very neutral and balanced, with no emphasis so to speak.

The bass might sound a bit recessed, especially compared to the ongoing trend, although it has very good definition and extension along with powerful impact. Bass texture is excellent, it has body and is very tight. Drum kicks are aggressive the way I like them. The mids are lush, even sounding and very refined. Vocals are very articulate and smooth, with a truly realistic feel to them. The sound of the saxophone is immersive, piano sounds realistic and acoustic guitar is a bliss. The treble is crystal clear to say the least: rich, crisp and articulate without being ear piercing, with great extension capabilities, making strings, bells and cymbals sound magical, as if all that sparkle was beaming into your head. All sounds, all instruments and voices have their timbre replicated with excellent fidelity and accuracy, with no coloration nor bias, making the sound natural and revealing without being fatiguing.

The best thing about the ER-4 is that it is very versatile. The sound suits pretty much any genre very well and it is easy to tweak the signature to suit your needs (colder/warmer). Good for classical, jazz, rock, electronic music, basically anything you throw at them. It can handle slow paced, basic vocal tracks as well as fast paced, complex ones, such as orchestral with ease. I'd say that the ER-4 is the jack of all trades, and the master of most of them: Suitable for critical listening, but lively enough for personal enjoyment.
 
With its very coherent and realistic sound signature and effortless musicality, the ER-4 easily surpasses hands down most IEMs I've owned until now, including more expensive, technically more advanced multi-drivers. The single fact that these buds have been on the market for more than 20 years without heavy modification is a testimony of their numerous qualities. If you had to pick one single IEM, I would advise you to check these bad boys out.
 
 
 
Bottom line: A living legend with very little left to be desired. Thoroughly recommended.

This is a review of the original B&W C5. Not the recently released C5 S2.
 
Design/durability: The C5 feature a really unique design because of the secure loop. The finish of the earphones is very nice (metal construction), and the cable *looks* sturdy. However sturdiness isn't the strong point of the C5. Actually, I have sent them back twice already because of cable defects. Every 6-8 months, one of the channels stops working due to faulty contact, as if it were pre-programmed. Build quality is definitely not up to expectations. B&W's customer service is second to none though, but this issue still ruins customer experience.
 
Fit/comfort: Not very comfortable, no matter the ear tips. The earpieces are very heavy, and stick out of the ear prominently. The secure loop hurts the inside of the ear, although you can disassemble it. The silicone tips provided are stiff and hurt the ear canal easily. Microphonics are easily heard.
 
Isolation: Average isolation for IEMs, since these are supposed to be semi-open (which is interesting, see sound section).
 
Sound: This is a heavy, V-shaped type of sound. The bass is indeed very prominent and boomy and it protrudes on the mids, the mids are fine and clean, but they are recessed and often overpowered by the huge bass hump, the treble is bright and slightly harsh with average extension. Now the soundstage of the C5 is actually quite impressive. It sounds wider than many IEMs especially in this price category. Instrument separation is also neat, I guess due to the "microporous filter" and the semi-open design of these earphones. Ultimately, the C5 have a fun sounding signature with a good amount of details, but with some seriously overcooked bass. Good for some genres, not so much for some others.
 
Bottom line: A pair of semi-open earphones that could have been interesting, sadly ruined by poor build quality and excessive bass response.

Design/durability: They look professional. As for the build quality, these are certainly the most rugged headphones on the market. It is practically indestructible, and if a part comes to break it is possible just to replace the part itself (ear pads, cable, headband, you name it). They can be thrown in a bag and not be worried about. Designed to last a long time, if not a lifetime.
 
Fit/comfort: Average. Many complain about the clamping force of the HD25, but I find it to be okay after a few months using them. The headband becomes more loose and flexible, although it still has more pressure than on other headphones. Definitely not the most comfortable cans around, though.
 
Isolation: Among the best headphones when it comes to this aspect. They don't equal IEMs, but still have a superior isolation to most other headphones of its category. Good for outdoor use, even for air travel, unless you fly a very noisy turboprop.
 
Sound: Excellent, and still a reference despite the years. The sound signature of the HD25 is rather warm (V-shaped), and very revealing from bottom to top frequencies. The bass has a nice texture to it, and sounds fast and powerful. Mids are slightly recessed but they remain neutral, not colored. The treble is bright and slightly aggressive. Also, the HD25 have a good amount of energy in them, an almost dynamite-like punch that can handle any fast track. On the downside, soundstage is quite small although imaging is good. The HD25 provide an enjoyable, dynamic and polyvalent sound with a fair amount of details.
 
Bottom line: A classic that remains a classic, and a good bang for the buck guaranteed. Mine are 8 years old and still going strong.




HD-25 retrofitted with velour pads

Design/durability: With an all aluminium and leather construction, the M500 feel really premium and durable, while being lightweight enough. The flat cable seems sturdy and can be swapped easily (there's a 2nd cable w/ remote included). Earphones can be folded.
 
Comfort/fit: Surprisingly comfortable, actually the most comfortable on-ear headphones I've ever tried. The leather pads are very soft, the memory foam adds to comfort, and clamping force is just right. Can be worn for several hours without hurting the ears.
 
Isolation: Just average. Not the worst isolation of its category but not the best either (HD25 isolate better for instance, I think they're on par with the P5). Sufficient for public transportation but not for flying.
 
Sound: Now to the most important: sound, which in this case is stunning in pretty much all departments. The sound signature tends to be slightly warm, with a light boost in the low frequencies. It is however balanced enough to suit any music genre. The bass is tight, controlled and very well extended. It has body without feeling too "heavy" at any moment. The mids are very, very refined, with excellent resolution. Voices are smooth, all instruments are translated accurately and feel very real. The treble is nice and present without aggressiveness nor sibilance, but with a frank amount of sparkle. The amount of detail throughout the frequency match some headphones with a much higher price tag. Last but not least, soundstage and imaging are really good for such a small portable headphone. The M500 almost sound like open cans, while still sounding intimate, truly astonishing. Only downside is that they might sound a bit slow on tracks that require more energy. Other than that, the overall sound gets an A+ from me.
 
Bottom line: A product that is near perfect in its category, Kef really hit the sweet spot with their first headphone. A keeper for me, I love these for casual listening.

Design/durability: The earpieces' finish is good, and they do look stylish. However the built quality of the cable is very disappointing. I've successively had 3 early models of the SuperFi 5 (which all broke after a year of careful use), and although the cable doesn't tangle, it is very poorly made and cracks easily, leading to faulty contacts. Not built to last. At all.
 
Fit/comfort: Overall the SuperFi 5 are quite comfortable. The Comply foams are easier to use, since it is quite tricky to reach a good seal with the silicone tips. They are small and hold in the ear very well. Only downside is microphonics, unless worn over the ear.
 
Isolation: Very good, not much to say.
 
Sound: A nice surprise, especially for the price. The bass doesn't go very deep but is well defined and impactful. The mids are excellent, they sound smooth and refined, vocals are very delightful to listen to. The highs are present, slightly "metallic sounding" but well articulated. Soundstage and imaging are better than expected, very 3D for the price. The overall finish of the sound is very coherent, with a slightly warm but clean signature, and great details. Soundstage is also pretty wide for the price, and imaging is convincing. Could suit pretty much any genre.
 
Bottom line: Great sound for the price, but poor built quality kills it. I had them changed 3 times in 3 years. I've walked away since then, too bad I really liked them.
 
Ps. they've been renamed UE600 recently, sound is similar.
 
 

                                                                     Here is the actual inside of one of my now-dead SuperFi 5 (faulty cable). 

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]Design/durability: The SE425 feel very nice indeed. The silver finish looks very appealing. The earpieces seem very durable as well, and the cable is very thick and sturdy with a lot of strain relief. The latter is detachable, which is even better.
 
Fit/Comfort: One of the most comfortable IEMs out there, especially with Shure's olive tips. Easily forgettable when in your ears. Plus they don't stick out of the ears, meaning that you can almost sleep wearing them.
 
Isolation: Excellent, blocks out most ambient noise. Microphonics are low as well.
 
Sound: A let down. The sound signature is highly colored in a way I particularly dislike: mids are well defined but way too forward, the worst part being the rolled-off highs and their terrible lack of extension. Decay is disappointing. On a good note, the bass is punchy and well articulated, with just the right amount. Speed isn't bad. Soundstage and instrument separation are good, but the very warm sound sig makes the whole presentation suffocating and claustrophobic. The resolution is also far from being impressive for the price, as a lot of details are reported missing. Some instruments are very badly replicated: drums sound like someone's hitting on cardboard, strings sound terrible, overall timbre of many instruments are just *not* realistic enough, and it's not a source/file problem. Overall the sound feels veiled, unnatural and unrevealing at best, almost as if you were listening to music while covering your speakers with a curtain. Good for some genres, like jazz or acoustic guitar, and laid back listening though. Having paid FRP I tried to like them, w/o success. The just average resolution and the seriously anemic treble ultimately killed it for me. I was expecting much more from a double driver, $250 headphone, I even have some single armature IEMs that sound better than the SE425 at barely half the price.
 
Bottom line: The SE425 got me disappointed. Far from being accurate enough for critical listening, yet not fun sounding either, these headphones are heavily colored, and not in a way I'd like them to be. The excellent design, nice soundstage, and the suitability of the SE425 for casual listening are here to compensate though. Sent them back after a few weeks of testing, since they seem vastly overpriced and overrated to me given the just average sound quality they provide.